Our team
After 12 years as a helicopter pilot and instructor, Alec has now been working in legal services for the past 15 years.
Traditionally, estates had been administered at an hourly rate with no fixed fees. This meant that there is no incentive for companies to complete the task as quickly as possible. Many companies also charged for letters, emails and phone calls in addition. Sometimes a percentage of the estate is the basis for fees regardless of the number of assets and how much work was involved. Alec wanted a simpler solution for the families going through this difficult time. He also wanted to offer the very best service possible. Valued Estates Ltd was established by Alec, to provide a fast, professional and personal fixed fee service. Alec and his team continue to provide this valuable service to previous clients as well as new clients.
Alec is married to Sam and they have two children. He still holds a commercial helicopter license and flies when time permits.
Jenny is an experienced senior probate administrator and one of the friendly voices at the end of phone. She is an expert at listening to the unfamiliar situation that families find themselves in and then giving relevant, clear advice. Jenny is responsible for the everyday running of the office as well as managing the team and ensuring that every family receives our best attention
Jenny has a degree in criminology and is currently studying psychotherapy, working as a trainee psychotherapist in her spare time.
Jess is a solicitor who joined us from a specialist accountancy firm in which she headed the probate department.
She has significant experience in will drafting, probate, estate administration and elderly client services. She enjoys meeting clients and helping to make a difficult time as stress free as possible.
Jess enjoys travelling and keeping fit.
Josie brings over 17 years’ marketing experience across large, medium, and small businesses within the public and private sectors.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her 2 children and going on long countryside walks with her Golden Retriever Ronnie.
Sue joined us after a long career in banking. Sue’s attention to detail is appreciated by her many clients as well as everyone in the office. Always dependable, Sue is very quick to put families at ease and great at tracking down elusive documents and looking after the challenges of property sales.
Sue enjoys spending time with family and is married to Dave and has two grown up sons.
Rebecca is an experienced probate administrator and has also worked within the National Health Service and Hertfordshire Police. She is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and always willing to make sure that she can assist her clients during the administration process.
Out of work, Rebecca is a keen baker and enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children. She likes spending time at the coast, visiting National Trust properties and going for walks in the countryside. In the future Rebecca would like to work towards becoming a Chartered Legal Executive.
Julie joins us with 20 years’ experience as a legal secretary within residential and commercial property with the past 5 years working for a Trusts and Probate lawyer.
In her own time, Julies favourite activities include cinema trips and comedy nights as well as trying (and usually failing) to keep as fit as her workmates.
Shannon has joined the team with administration experience in the construction industry after completing a degree in criminology and psychology. She is enthusiastic and ready to help in any way she can.
Shannon has a passion for travelling to new places after living in America as a child, she also enjoys spending time with friends & family, and playing various musical instruments.
Carole started her career in Sales and Accounts whilst completing a National Diploma in Business Studies. After having three children, Carole wanted to take her career in a different direction so worked in Mental Health for over twenty years. Now Carole is part of the Valued Estates team she wants to help and support families during the probate process.
Carole has three grown up children and two Patterdale Terriers, Buddy and Teddy. In her spare time she likes to go for long country walks with Buddy and Teddy, visiting National Trust houses and castles.
Carole is also a Paranormal Investigator with her Husband.